CITY OF FAIRHOPE names new public works director, page 2 Pirates win 2017 Jubilee Cup PAGE 13 Fun for fall gardeners The Courier PAGE 6 INSIDE SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Fairhope Personnel Board overturns Board attempted demotion of city HR manager rejects condo By CLIFF MCCOLLUM shift Heathcoe into a lower quested the meeting be open plan near [email protected] position, a Human Resource to the public, the Personnel Coordinator position, which Board decided some of the in- Fairhope pier On Sept. 21, the Fairhope would have meant a drop in formation that could come up Iranian sculpture Personnel Board voted 2-1 to salary range for Heathcoe in the hearing could be confi- By JANE NICHOLES overturn Mayor Karin Wil- — from her current posi- dential material about other comes to USSA son’s attempted demotion of tion’s range of $51,108.98 to city employees, the board Bob Pope’s proposal for a in Daphne Fairhope HR Manager Pan- $81,774.38 to the coordinator determined the meeting would four-unit condominium develop- The public is invited dora Heathcoe in an appeal position’s range of $33,113.60 be closed to the public. ment near Fairhope’s pier was when the North Amer- hearing. to $43,056. unanimously denied Monday by ican Iranian Friend- Wilson was attempting to Though Heathcoe had re- SEE FAIRHOPE, PAGE 2 the Board of Adjustment. ship Society presents “This plan, everything about it breaks every rule in the the United States book,” said James Avent, one of Sports Academy’s the board members. American Sport Art Fun, food and fellowship at the Jubilee Festival About 50 people attended the Museum & Archives meeting and politely applauded This weekend, the streets of Olde with a bronze sculp- the board’s vote as well as sev- Towne Daphne were lined with ture of the late legend- tents and filled with people for eral of the half-dozen people ary Iranian wrestler the 29th annual Jubilee Festival of who spoke against the idea. and national hero Ja- Arts. Tons of family-friendly ameni- Pope is the leaseholder of the han Pahlavan Takhti. ties were enjoyed and this year’s Single Tax Colony property cur- For more information event had a special twist, with two rently occupied by a restaurant. qualifying events for the World on this unique event, He detailed the business uses Food Championship. of the property dating back to turn to Page 3. See more photos on page 35. an ice company in 1908. The property once was the site of a casino built in 1922. Blakeley Park Planning director Wayne hosting Mobile Dyess said the current restau- Delta boat trip rant is a non-conforming use of the property. The zoning is a this weekend Tourist Resort Commercial Ser- Historic Blakeley vices District, and a multi-fam- State Park has a ily use is only allowed by appeal number of fun and and subject to special condi- interesting events tions, according to the planning coming up this week. and zoning staff report. Dyess told the board that the To find out more, turn staff recommended denial of to Page 33. the variances needed for the condominiums. Among other issues, the three-story project Fairhope Library did not come close to meeting the density requirements and it Book Reviews kick was seven feet taller than the al- off next week lowed 30 feet. The Tuesday Book The property is 3,960 square feet total, while regulations re- Review and Lecture quire 7,500 square feet per unit. Series will kick off Only about half of one of the Oct. 3 at the Middens condos could fit on the property Center at the Fairhope without a variance. In addition, PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE EASTERN SHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Public Library. To see the building was proposed to be the full schedule for built to the back property line, the fall series, turn to which is directly against the Page 33. bluff. Mobile Baykeeper files notice of intent to sue Daphne Utilities Pope said he was sensitive to the concerns of people who love Alleges numerous Clean Water Act violations on August 11, when more than the pier, the rose garden, the one million gallons of raw municipal beach and surround- sewage spilled from the 29280 ing parkland. He said the four DEATHS PAGE 20 By THE COURIER STAFF to comply with its permit North Main Street treatment units were the least intrusive by falsely reporting sewer plant into D’Olive Creek. The use of his property and he in- Fredrick Burmeister Last week, Mobile Bay- spill data and failing to re- spill was reported by Daphne tended to live in one of the units Elizabeth Sheffield Byars keeper filed a notice of intent port sewer spills into D’Olive Utilities as “zero gallons” himself. Frances Louise Flowers to sue againstDaphne Utilities Creek, which eventually dis- reaching waterways. “I’ve given this a lot of for numerous violations under charge into Mobile Bay. “This is completely unac- thought. I’m not close to doing Dixon the Clean Water Act. According to the organiza- ceptable,” said Casi Callaway, something else,” he said. Lois Willem Magnon According to Mobile Bay- tion, they believe the most keeper, the utility has failed egregious violation occurred SEE BAYKEEPER, PAGE 2 SEE CONDOS, PAGE 2 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 6 OUT & ABOUT, 9 Coast CLASSIFIED, 4 PUZZLES, 8 Media HEALTH, 22 SPORTS, 13 VOLUME 124 • ISSUE 9 LEGALS, 25 TV LISTINGS, 16 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES OPINION, 11 2• The Courier • September 27, 2017 • Gulf Coast Media City of Fairhope names new Public Works Director Submitted Science along with as the Director of Administration, Street served six years with the have two sons: 11th Grader a Bachelors of Sci- Public Works for Maintenance, Building Baldwin County Highway Russell and 8th Grader The City of Fairhope ence in Civil Engi- the City of Daphne, Maintenance, Mechanical Department as Permit and Patrick. Richard is active has named Richard D. neering from the Alabama. He has Maintenance, Grounds, Planning Engineer. in his community and Johnson, PE. as the new University of South extensive experi- Mowing and Solid Waste Johnson was raised in volunteers in many ca- Director of Public Works. Alabama. ence in Municipal Management that includes Auburn, Alabama and pacities. He and his family Johnson was a graduate Johnson is a reg- Public Works household Garbage, for the last thirteen years enjoy camping, frequent of Troy University, with istered Professional Johnson operations includ- Trash, Recycling and C&D calls the Eastern Shore visits to the family’s home Bachelors of Science in Engineer and has ing: Engineering, Landfill oversight. Prior to home. He is married to on Lake Martin, and Au- Mathematics/Physical served the last seven years Project Management, his service in Daphne, he Louise Johnson and they burn Football. Sweet potato cooking Truland Homes showcases 22 new homes in contest winners this year’s Baldwin County Parade of Homes Submitted This year, Truland will of the line home sites, County market. They be featuring 22 beauti- outdoor living areas, spa- maintain an inventory Truland Homes is ful homes in 22 unique cious kitchens, walk-in of completed homes and pleased to announce its communities. Last year’s pantries and more. also offer an expansive participation in the 2017 showcase community, As Truland is locally plan gallery and state of Baldwin County Home Greenbrier at Firethorne owned and operated, the art design center for Builders Association and Spanish Fort’s new- they build most of their those interested in de- Parade of Homes. This est community Osprey homes throughout Bald- signing a home. year’s event will be held Ridge made the list. win and Mobile Coun- For more information Sep. 30 - Oct. 1 and Oct. Truland entries this year ties. Toward the end of on the BCHBA Parade 7 – Oct. 8 and every home range from the high 200s this year and into 2018, of Homes, please visit will be open to the public to low 800s and feature Truland plans to ex- http://www.homebuild- from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. brand new plans, top pand into the Escambia ersparadeofhomes.com/ SUBMITTED PHOTOS Congratulations to the Fairhope High School Sweet Potato Cooking Contest winners. Maya Thomas won first place with Healthy Sweet Potato Skins. Jasmine Blankenship won 2nd place with chocolate Halloween fun planned for Bellingrath Gardens on Oct. 28 sweet potato brownies. Both will represent FHS at the Baldwin County Fair. Dress up your little and organizations will set have Spooky Storytime 5 p.m. Admission is $13 for Thomas and Blankenship are students of Dianne ghosts and goblins for Boo up numerous treat sta- in the Gazebo Garden. adults and $7.50 for ages Bernasconi, FACS instructor. at Bellingrath, a day of tions to hand out candy Guests are also invited to 5-12. There is no charge for Halloween fun at Bellin- and trinkets to trick-or- enjoy culinary delights Bellingrath members and Fairhope Middle School grath Gardens, on Satur- treaters. The Stereo Dogs from local food trucks! children 4 and younger. held its annual Sweet day, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. band will provide musical Although the official Tickets to Boo at Bellin- Potato Cook-Off. to 3 p.m. The Gardens will entertainment on Live hours for Boo at Bellin- grath are limited and must Sponsored by Mrs. Amy be filled with Halloween- Oak Plaza. Dr. Gee will be grath are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., be purchased in advance.